Monument to the memory of Henry Clay

Front matter

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Preface

The object of the present work is two-fold. First, to present in a condensed form a complete Life, and the most important Speeches of Henry Clay; and secondly, to collect, in a form adapted to their preservation, the Eulogies called forth by the death of the great statesman, together with an account of the Obsequies attending his burial.

In respect to the first object, it may be said, that the field has already been occupied. In reply, we say that, although the works which have appeared from time to time, and especially the large volumes of Col ton, have given us nearly all the information which we can hope to obtain, whether in regard to the public or private life of Henry Clay, yet that they all, and especially those which we have designated, labor under the disadvantage of being too large and too costly for popular circulation.

Now, such was the afiectionate admiration with which Heney Clay was regarded, while living, that we believe thousands will hail with satisfaction the appearance of a volume like this, in which it has been the aim to unite

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accuracy iu the statement of facts, with a clear delineation of the marked featm-es of Clay's public and private character. The Biographic part claims, moreover, to be something more thau a mere abridgment or compilation. It aspires to the dignity of an original portraiture.

In the Selections from Clay's speeches, the rule observed was this ; to present the political opinions of the great leader in his own words, rendering him, thus, as far as possible, the author of his own political biography. To this end, extracts have been made to convey, not always so much an impression of the beauty and force of his diction, as of the peculiar sentiments which he entertained, the form iu which he held them, and the arguments with which he defended them. They have been arranged with express reference to their biographic value.

In regard to the contents of the latter part of the volume, we need only say, that they can not but have a value while the memory of Henry Clay shall live, as indicating the mode in which a mighty nation gave expression to its grief, at the loss of its favorite son.

The volume then as a whole, we trust, will vindicate its pretensions, notwithstanding defects which, doubtless, exist in it, to be considered ti'uly a monument to the memory of Henry Clay. A. H. C.

Paris, Kentucky March 1, 1857.

Contents

THE LIFE OF HENRY CLAY.

Chapter I

What constitutes a true monument — The beat position for estimatin j % public man — Men have often a distinct private and public character — Which their true character — Essentials of a perfect biography 9

Chapter II

Birth and parentage — Death of his father — Its probable influence upon his after history — Significance of the incident of " the mill-boy of the Slashes " — ^His schooling — A foolish opinion, that genius does not need education — What education means — Whether Henky Clay, in this sense, was educated — He enters Mr. Denny's store — Obtains a situation in the clerk's office, at Richmond — Atti-acts the attention of Chancellor Wythe — Studies law with Attorney-General Brooke — Is admitted to the bar — Result of the influence upon him of such men as Wythe and Brooke — He engages in a rhetorical society — Inquiry, whether greatness is the oftspriug of circumstances — Clay moves to Kentucky 13

Chapter III

Mr. Clay's modest opinion of himself — ^His competitors in Kentucky — The debating club — Kentucky people — Alien and Sedition Laws — Mr. Clay's success in law — His marriage — ^His election to the Legislature — To the Senate of the United States — Aaron Burr — Legislature of Kentucky again — Duel with Humphrey Marshall — His abilities in the State Legislature 21

Chapter IV

Senate of the United States again — ^Policy of our country — Mr Clay advocates protection of domestic manufactures — Opposes a United States Bank — His activity in bringing about a war with England — Declaration of war 35

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Chapter V

Early disasters of the war — Subsequent successes — Negotiations for peace — Ghent — Mr. Clay a Commissioner — Terms of the treaty — Mr. Clay visits England — ^United States Bank — Mr. Clay's change of views — What constitutes tnie Political Economy — Compensation bill — Clay is obliged to canvass his State — South American independence • 44

Chapter VI

Mr. Clay is offered the post of Minister to Russia — Also, a place in the Cabinet — Advocates internal im]>rovements — Mr. Clay the father of a policy and a party — The character and services of the Whig party — Seminole war — The conduct of Jackson 54

Chapter VII

Mr. Clay as a "pacificator" — Missouri desires admission — ^Violent agitation of slaveiy — The Compromise — The efforts of Mr. Clay. . . 60

Chapter VIII

Candidates for the Presidency in 1824 — No election by the people — Mr. Clay's influence given to Mr. Adams — Charge of corruption — Mr. Kremer of Pennsylvania — Revival of the charge by Jackson — More trouble — A Duel with Randolph 66

Chapter IX

The Tariff of 1824 — Question as to the expediency of a Protective tariff — Difference between theory and practice — Unpopularity of the protective system at the South — Nullification — Mr. Clay introduces his Compromise Tariff, and harmony is restored 7^

Chapter X

Mr. Clay is again defeated as a candidate for the Presidency — Clay and Jackson as rival leaders — Removal of the Deposits by the President — Mr. Clay's indignant opposition — Resolution of censure — The Cherokees — Lavisli expenditure — 'The expunging resolution — The Snb-treasurj' bill — Dawning of better times 85

Chapter XI

Enthusiasm of 1840 — Extra session of Congress — Death of Harrison — Defection of Tyler — Grief of Mr. Clay, at the subversion of his eherislied hopes — He advocates a tariff, designed for Protection — ■ liesi'rns iiis seal — Ilis fai'ewell to the Senate 97

CONTENTS. VU